Behind the Scenes
The Dad Days of Summer
Photos provided by interviewees.
Summer break is upon us! Families everywhere are transitioning from end-of-year awards and graduation ceremonies to a new post-school routine. As quickly as the weather changes, we’re making a major mental shift. The days grow longer and brighter, and kids begin bouncing between backyard adventures, summer camp, and extended playdates with friends. Grown-ups earn our stripes as event planners, lunch packers, and travel agents extraordinaire.
Then, before you can say “summer solstice,” our kids will head back to school again.
I recently caught up with four BrainPOP dads who shared how they’ll squeeze every last drop of sunlight out of the season with their kids. And they’ve got some practical lessons planned along the way, too.
Eugene Song, VP, Product Management
How will you spend the summer with your children?
My older child (7) is in a series of day camps, and trying a week of sleepaway camp for the first time at the end of the summer! The younger one (3) is still in daycare, but we’re really hoping to get her into some activities as well, like soccer and Grit Ninja. We’re also taking a family trip to San Francisco, which will be fun! Hoping to not only see the city and some friends, but get out into nature a bit.
What important lesson or skill do you personally want to teach your kids?
So many! Our older child is interested in learning to play the drums, so I’m hoping we can get some time to play together this summer. Our younger child is at an… interesting stage in development. At this point, I’m just trying to teach her emotional regulation.
Do you have any great hacks to help your kids transition into a new school year?
We just try to give her as much agency as possible over the transition. For example, we give her information about her class and classmates as soon as we can, and let her choose a new backpack and pack it herself.
Enrique Hernandez, Marketing Design Associate Director
How will you spend the summer with your children?
This summer is going to be a little different. With gas prices so high, we probably won’t be doing many road trips. But we will definitely be swimming in our pop-up pool, grilling some burgers, and going to the park.
What important lesson or skill do you personally want to teach your kids?
I always tell them hard work pays off, and to never take shortcuts unless there’s traffic. I make sure they know they are always supported.
Do you have any great hacks to help your kids transition into a new school year?
For the last week of summer break, take them to do as many physical activities as possible so they go to sleep early.
Demian Johnson, VP, Design Director
How will you spend the summer with your children?
I see summer as an opportunity for my kids to focus more singularly on exploring their own interests. Both of my daughters (ages 15 and 9) are creative, and love performing. We are fortunate to live in a community in Brooklyn that has excellent visual and performing arts summer camps, so that has become a big part of our summer routine. My older daughter is now working as a junior counselor at a camp that she’s been attending every summer since she was four.
We also typically like to take a vacation in August to explore places away from home. This year we are traveling to Mexico to reconnect with grandparents who moved there for their retirement.
What important lesson or skill do you personally want to teach your kids?
I look forward to teaching my younger daughter how to ride the bike that she just got for her birthday. We tried a few years ago, but her interest only lasted a few minutes. She assures me that she’s ready now. I also look forward to helping her become a more confident swimmer on weekend trips to the beach.
Do you have any great hacks to help your kids transition into a new school year?
We try to set an earlier bedtime a week before school starts to ease the transition back to waking up early. When my kids were younger, having them pick their outfits the night before helped us prevent unexpected delays getting ready in the morning.
Mike Watanabe, Chief Creative Officer
How will you spend the summer with your children?
We have a table that we don’t clean up. It’s piled with paper, tape, cardboard; and crafting, model-building, and art supplies. You name it. My kids (and I) will spend hours there, drawing things, making stuff, and trying out ideas. I want to give them the freedom to make a mess and explore their creativity without imposing the cost of having to put everything away when they’re done.
What important lesson or skill do you personally want to teach your kids?
If you have an idea, expressing it by creating something is a great way to make that idea better. Sometimes you need to let an idea bounce around in your head for a while, to let your brain solve some of the problems without you. But actually sketching, modeling, or constructing your idea can help you spot snags—and opportunities!
Do you have any great hacks to help your kids transition into a new school year?
Yeah, we leave the table messy! Creative exploration can help them out at school, too!
